Creating beautiful art from packing tape
Kristin Dickerson:
“Art has no limits—it can exist anywhere, in any medium, on any canvas. The only true boundary is our imagination. Street artist Max Zorn is redefining artistic boundaries in a uniquely compelling way, creating extraordinary works of art from ordinary packing tape.”
Max Zorn:
“I’ve always loved creating art, but I never imagined it would actually lead somewhere,” Max admits. “I don’t like simply copying reality. Instead, I look for the essence of a place or a person, and from that essence, I begin weaving a story. I aim to craft an atmosphere that enables viewers to connect deeply and continue their own narratives. That emotional connection is what makes experiencing art truly profound.”
Max Zorn, based in Amsterdam, is renowned for his distinctive use of brown packing tape—what he casually refers to as “tape art.”
People often mistake his creations for traditional paintings until they see him at work, equipped only with tape, an X-acto knife, and a light source.
“I only need three things: a light box—or even just a window—tape, and my knife. I carefully layer the tape to create different shades, then meticulously cut out shapes and forms,” explains Zorn. “It’s similar to composing a song: the image in my mind is the melody, yet there’s always room for improvisation. The unexpected shifts that happen during the process—that’s where creativity lives.”
Creating art for Max is an immersive experience.
“Initially, my fingers follow my deliberate thoughts, but eventually, I enter a flow state. That’s the best feeling—I often ‘wake up’ hours later, surprised by what I’ve created.”
Max’s journey into art began almost by accident. “It started, like so many stories, with a girl. About twelve years ago, while living in Amsterdam, I lost my voice—a disaster for dating,” Max recalls with a smile. “So, I came up with romantic gestures instead. I drew sketches and wrote messages on small pieces of plexiglass, then secretly mounted them onto street lamps outside her house, using brown packing tape. That’s when I discovered how beautiful the tape looked illuminated from behind. Those first gestures evolved into intricate tape art pieces, and soon, her entire street was decorated with these illuminated love notes.”
Word spread from that Amsterdam street to other cities across Europe. “People were intrigued but confused by my explanations, so I filmed myself creating a piece and uploaded the video online. It went viral overnight, launching me into this vibrant, travel-filled artistic life I never anticipated.”
Reflecting on his legacy, Max says, “I never thought about being remembered as an artist. What matters is the art itself. I simply hope my artworks are cared for and appreciated. I often sit back and imagine all the lights turning on around the world, illuminating my pieces. That global connection is genuinely wonderful.”
For Max, there’s profound beauty in transformation. “Packing tape is inherently ugly. Yet, with careful handling and the right lighting, something mundane transforms into something extraordinary,” he notes thoughtfully. “There’s magic in that process—a positive, hopeful message about potential hidden beauty in everything around us.”
To explore Max Zorn’s work and learn more, visit MaxZorn.com or experience his art firsthand at the Bowie House Hotel in Fort Worth.
Source: NBC, Channel 5, Texas Today: https://www.nbcdfw.com/texas-today/creating-beautiful-art-from-packing-tape/3440956
News anchor Kristin Dickerson is an Emmy award-winning reporter and weekend evening anchor for NBC 5.